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To all you experts out there!!!

Hope you can help me.

Which do you feel is the preferred option assuming that the AutoSleeper Harmony/Duetto bodies are identical in quality..?

1994 Talbot Express 2.0 Petrol 42k miles or 1998 For Transit 2.0 Petrol 64k miles (the latter is £1000 more expensive) - FSH on both - we intend to do £5k miles annually.

Thanks in anticipation

Bryan

I would go for the Transit base as the Talbot spares are becoming hard to come by, and the Talbots were known for the tin worm.

John.

Hi Bryan..

Personally I'd go for the Transit..

Okay,some may think they have more of a "builders van" look/feel about them but they're reliable and,if maintained,pretty bullet proof.

Also,I always prefer RWD,for something like campervans and motorhomes,which are likey to be used on grass pitches,

..Our first van was an '03 Duetto..and it was very well put together..

...I sometimes wish we'd stuck with it,rather than heading off down the wobbly-coachbuilt route...

If you do opt for the the Talbot,check the gear selection..the one I owned  was a b*tch to get into reverse(..I believe there's a mod' availabe though..)and check for rust (and filler!)around the base of the windscreen pillars..use a magnet!  

..And although the Transit you're looking at has done more miles than the Talbot..it is 4 years younger..! (..that's 4 salt encrusted winters less and 4 years less,sitting idle,festering  away on someones' driveway.. )

A bit obvious this bit but check the *age and condition of the tyres(not just the tread depth)and make sure any "age cracks" in the sidewalls,haven't just been disguised with tyre-black...You don't want to "get a bargain", to then have to fork out for a set of tyres a month later...

* I believe "they"(?) state that tyres should be replaced after 5 years,irrespective of the depth of tread...

Well,it tends to be signwritten vans,with just a mattress,a gas stove and a bucket,that they have probelms with  

I would've have thought so along as it's "fully converted",you'll be fine!...and besides,you can sit there feeling the warm glow of snugness,knowing your van cost a fraction of some of the others on site,yet is still doing the same job!  

Obviously there will be some sites that would rather only have a certain "clientele"..

but the way I see it,that's no different to any other walk of life(..Hotels,pubs,clubs etc,only allow folk in, based on dress code,looks etc..)

..and if there is ever a  problem,you just take your money somewhere else..

The Caravan Club gets a bit of flack for being snobby..but to be honest,we haven't found that to be the case(...I reckon it just seems that way because CC members do tend to be slightly older..?)

There's loads of sites available through the "Campsite Search" on here(..in fact it tends to be our first port of call)..and the reviews are very helpful..

Chris